Press Release

Miguel Cabrera is Player of the Year and AL Outstanding Player; Chipper Jones chosen as Marvin Miller Man of the Year

MLBPA Press Release

NEW YORK -- Major League baseball players today announced the winners for their highest honors -- the Players Choice Awards -- in which the players themselves recognize their peers' most outstanding and inspiring performances. The Players Choice Awards winners were announced on MLB Network during an exclusive Players Choice Awards broadcast special presented by 2K Sports and benefitting the Major League Baseball Players Trust.

All-Star third baseman Miguel Cabrera of the Detroit Tigers was chosen by his peers as the 2012 Player of the Year and American League Outstanding Player. Cabrera compiled one of the most impressive seasons in Major League Baseball history by leading the American League in all three major offensive categories. He batted .330 with 44 home runs and 139 RBIs, making him the first player to achieve the Triple Crown since Red Sox legend Carl Yastrzemski earned the honor in 1967. Cabrera's success at the plate helped propel the Tigers to the American League Central title and the team's first American League pennant since 2006.

Recently retired All-Star third baseman Chipper Jones has been recognized for his outstanding character and charitable work by receiving the 2012 Marvin Miller Man of the Year Award. Named for the founding executive director of the Major League Baseball Players Association, the Man of the Year award honors the player whose excellence on and off the field most inspires others to higher levels of achievement. The 40-year-old third baseman finished the 2012 season batting .287 with 14 home runs and 62 RBIs. In addition to his contributions on the diamond, Jones has made a remarkable impact through his charitable actions. Through the work of the Chipper Jones Family Foundation, Jones lends his support to help organizations such as the Boys and Girls Clubs, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and Little League programs.

Standout outfielder Andrew McCutchen of the Pittsburgh Pirates was named National League Outstanding Player for his All-Star performance. McCutchen's accomplishment can be attributed to his success in all phases of the game. At the plate, McCutchen attained an impressive .327 batting average with 31 long balls, 96 RBIs, 194 hits, 107 runs scored and .400 OBP. On the base paths, McCutchen recorded 20 stolen bases this season, which increases his career total to 98.

The American League Outstanding Pitcher Award has been given to Tampa Bay Rays All-Star David Price. During the 2012 season, the left-hander finished his 20-win regular season with 205 strikeouts and a 2.56 ERA. Price's ERA ranked second overall in the Majors behind Clayton Kershaw of the Los Angeles Dodgers (2.53.) His strikeout total was good for fifth highest among American League pitchers and 11th overall among all big league pitchers.

New York Mets knuckleballer R.A. Dickey is the recipient of this year's National League Outstanding Pitcher Award. Throughout 2012, Dickey utilized his unique delivery to put together one of the best pitched seasons thrown by a knuckleballer. Specifically, the right-hander attained a 20-6 record with a 2.73 ERA and 230 strikeouts. Dickey's ERA was lowest among Mets pitchers this season, second lowest in the National League and fourth overall. Dickey's 230 strikeouts ranked highest among National League pitchers and third in the Majors behind the Tigers' duo of Max Scherzer and Justin Verlander.

Center fielder Mike Trout was named American League Outstanding Rookie for his performance with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. Trout follows in the footsteps of fellow Angels teammate Mark Trumbo, who earned this distinguished award last year. Hailing from New Jersey, the 21-year-old Trout compiled one of the most impressive rookie seasons in baseball. He posted a .326 batting average, 30 home runs and 83 RBIs. Trout also demonstrated his speed on the base paths by recording an impressive 49 steals. His accomplishments during the first half of the regular season also secured him a place on this year's American League All-Star team.

The 2012 National League Outstanding Rookie is Todd Frazier, third baseman for the Cincinnati Reds. In Frazier's first year with the Reds, he managed to establish himself as one of the brightest young stars on the club. The Toms River, N.J., product batted .273 with 19 long balls and 67 RBIs during the regular season. Frazier's contributions at the plate and at the hot corner helped the Reds earn their second National League Central title in three seasons.

American League Comeback Player of the Year honors went to Adam Dunn of the Chicago White Sox. After returning to the diamond this year from an injury-plagued 2011, Dunn finished with 110 hits, 96 RBIs, 105 walks and an incredible 41 home runs. Dunn's home run total finished just three shy of the American League leader Cabrera.

Buster Posey of the 2012 World Series champion San Francisco Giants was named the National League Comeback Player of the Year. The 25-year-old All-Star catcher came back this year after suffering a season-ending injury to his left ankle during a collision at the plate in 2011. Upon his return to the Giants, Posey batted .336 with 24 home runs and 103 RBIs.

Balloting for the Players Choice Awards was conducted in September under the supervision of accounting firm KPMG.

2012 Players Choice Award winners in all categories will designate charities to receive grants totaling $260,000 from the Major League Baseball Players Trust, the charitable foundation created and run by the players themselves. The Players Trust raises funds and attention for issues affecting the needy and promotes community involvement. Since 1992, the Players Trust has recognized the outstanding on-field and off-field performances of Players Choice Awards winners by contributing more than $3 million to charities around the world. For additional information, please visit www.MLBPLAYERS.com or visit the Players Trust channel on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/user/MLBPlayersTrust.